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Lomi Ka’ala Hoku, also known as Lomi Lomi massage, is an ancient Hawaiian indigenous healing art, a concept of working with the MANA ( life force ) of the body, mind and soul of an individual. Lomi Lomi is a traditional ancient Hawaiian massage that has been passed down from generation to generation. Lomi Lomi also involves working with HA ( breath ) and PULE ( prayer ). Lomi Ka’ala Hoku means “Massage Journey to the Stars”, or “massage pathway to the stars”. The idea is to calm the mind in order to heal the body, and come from total acceptance of who they are and where they are in their life or their journey right now. Hawaiian bodywork is known for its high degree of life-enhancing transformational energy/mana.
Temple style bodywork refers to the body as being the sacred temple of the soul. It incorporates the movements of Hula, Ti Chi and Ti Kwon Do. Many of the hand and foot movements
of the LUA, the martial arts of the KANE ( men ) can be found in temple bodywork, which “dances” around the table.
The energy work behind this style of bodywork comes from ancient teachings of personal empowerment, as required during Hula and martial arts performances, and was taught in the HEIAU ( temple ).
Temple bodywork is the most common type of “Hawaiian Massage” being done in the world outside the Hawaiian Islands. It was developed by Kanaka Muoli, a native Hawaiian as it is known today. Temple teachings say that originally Kahuna arts were only taught and performed in the temples. It was inspired and practiced by the kahunas in the royal temples of ancient Hawaii where lomi lomi was used to heal the Hawaiian Kings ( Ali’i ), the royal family and member of the royal court. It also served as a powerful right of passage ceremony for important transitons in life. “pathway to the stars” also means “journey that carries you home” and refers to the profound physical and spiritual healing affects of the ancient tradition. With the aid of posture, leverage and motion, the practitioner is able to perform the bodywork like a script or a dance upon the client. This allows them to expand their being and regain balance and awareness within themselves.
“Temple style” Lomi, also known as “kahuna bodywork” was shared with the public by Kahuna Abraham Kawaii before his passing in 2004. His teaching synthesized knowledge the he received throughout this incredible life, where he was the disciple of many native healers and kahuna.
The attitude is loving and reverent, the hands are soft like clouds yet the pressure is firm. Each stroke is embodied with ALOHA ( loving, caring, sharing, affection, compassion, honoring the presence of God’s love, to hail or greet ). Alo =”to love”, oha = “to be happy” = “ to be happy with”.
Lomi Ke Ala Hoku is not simply about bodywork only but more significantly about the awakening of our own cellular consciousness. One method used to explore the Great Mystery inside of our bodies is called Ho’omanamana, described by Abraham as “stretching as awareness of physical, psychological and energetic body and it’s connection to breath. It is taking the old, ancient or unused energies and converting them in to contributing function”, a union of our vast dimensions of our being. Kahuna Abraham Kawai’I calls lomi a scared ceremony that is a psychospiritual experience designed to work not only with your mind, but with your physical, mental, emotional, cellular, spiritual and ancestral bodies.
The Hawaiian philosophy of Huna plays a key role in Lomi Lomi massage. According to this belief, all things seeks harmony and love. In fact, Lomi Lomi is sometimes called “loving hands” massage. Lomi Lomi is practiced with prayerful intent, requiring a loving heart so that healing can begin in the mind and spirit, as well as the body.
It is the traditional massage of Hawaii developed over many generations. It took years of training, and there are many different forms that have evolved over the millennia. It is an unwritten art. Never Nationalised…… like Shiatsu etc…
The connection is made when the appointment is made, that is when the session begins. Change begins with thought, long before the bodywork begins.
This is rite of passage bodywork, clearing the slate for a new beginning. This work was held by Abraham to be a rite TO passage. “Passage” refers to entry into the world of total responsibility for self. This includes responsibility for one’s family and space of existence. (Not to be confused with some sort of initiation or Kundalini-stirring type of work.)
Lomi Lomi is also done in the ocean, when a teen is becoming an adult, becoming part of the world, not just a part of the community. The ocean represents the world.
The goal is to diminish and balance emotional stress and protective mechanisms, clearing the past to move ahead and to discover what we are meant to do and our reason for being here, our Karma. People dream a lot after a bodywork session. Lomi cleanses and relaxes the body, both physically and spiritually, in order to achieve internal harmony.
Lomi Lomi is the connection with the infinite power of the moon, the stars, the earth ( AINA ) and the universe, not just your own MANA. This leaves the therapist energized at then end of a session instead of tired. We join their energy and then leave them with their energy.
Lomi Ka’ala Hoku is familial, we are not only working on the individual, but their whole family energetically, and four generations back and four generations forward.
Lomi Ka’ala Hoku is done traditionally with prayers, chants, drums, meditations, talking etc.. Sessions would last anywhere from 1 day to months. Anything done in a 5 day period was considered one session. Going over an area 250 times creates change, and this does not have to be done in one day.
In Lomi Lomi we communicate down to the bones physically and energetically via the muscles and the soft tissue. This is important because it is at that level that all memory is stored from past traumas, injuries and emotional links.
Bones are the most important and protected physical and energetic structure of the individual, so “tapping” the bones allows the practitioner to communicate on a soul level so that divine healing can take place. Bones contain the essence of the individuals MANA and ancestral lineage.
Lomi Lomi begins and centers on a state of consciousness that reflects the grace and ALOHA of Hawaii. It enables the physical and energetic systems of the body to flush out, transform, and revitalize as soft tissues are gently but firmly loosened, separated and loved. It encompasses releasing and forgiving in order to bring all aspects of self into alignment. It is holy and holistic, sacred and practical.
It is a genuine and unpretentious way of being with yourself, your AINA ( Mother Earth ) your AUMAKUA ( spirit guides and guardians ), your client and AKUA ( God ). Lomi is the hands-on manifestation of Aloha and unconditional love skillfully delivered into the soft tissues of the body.
Lomi Lomi massage utilizes long, gentle and continuous strokes. More than one area of the body can be worked at the same time. For example, the shoulder and the hip receive massage at the same time, as well as the back and the leg…and so on… The goal is relation, and it is difficult for the mind to concentrate on both areas at the same time. The joints are also worked in Lomi Lomi massage. It is believed that energy flows throughout the body can get blocked in these areas. Each f the joints are worked and gently stretched and rotated only as far as the clients comfort will allow. Lomi cleanses and relaxes the body, both physically and spiritually in order to achieve internal harmony. Temple style lomi uses primarily forearm runs integrating movements that are circles and figure eights. The movements are designed to confuse the thinking and invite the client to surrender, letting go of anything that is no longer serving them and to receive more of their soul energy.
In ancient Hawaii Lomi was practiced as both medical and restorative, practiced in the temples of old Hawaii, where kahuna or Hawaiian shaman practiced a unique lineage that kahu named Lomi Ke Ala Hoku, “pathway to the stars”. The legend that was passed down describes a ritual incorporating fire, drumming, chanting and shamanic movement. The kahuna would call on the wisdom of their ancestry and request a vision so they would know who was next to receive this sacred right of passage. Ritual lomi was designed to awaken and enlighten the being in the physical body and to awaken one’s true calling in life.
Lomi Lomi is also used for childbirth, turning breech babies and on newborn babies. Relief from over eating headaches, fatigue, asthma, inflammation, rheumatism, musculoskeletal disorders, stress reduction, edema, increase circulation and ROM, lymphatic drainage, brochitis and general pains. A lomi massage generally begins with the client relaxing on the table opening themselves to a healing state of mind. Some practitioners begin by using heated lomi stones to increase blood flow to certain areas of the body. Lava stones wrapped in ti leaves are traditional.
Hawaiian massage was passed down from generation to generation. Lomi Lomi always was, and still is by indigenous islanders, considered a sacred healing art that was passed down directly and precisely from KAHUNA practitioner to a chosen younger family member. Traditionally Lomi Lomi has always been given to another for free as a special gift.
Kahuna : Priest, sorcerer, magician, wizard, minister, expert in any profession. 3 catagories: “craft” kahuna ( canoe makers), navigators and sorcerers/healers.
Lomi Lomi is very diversified, yet always encompassed body, mind and spirit, but in a different way than we see today. Lomi included massage or bodywork, but most important it was a state of mind that encompasses the consciousness of both the giver and the receiver. The actual massage techniques were only part of the Lomi Lomi treatment. See diagram.
Purification precedes any hands-on massage, as well as most sacred endeavors. The body is cleansed physically, emotionally, spiritually.
The client may drink herbal teas to cleanse the body prior to massage. The body may also be cleansed by using red clay internally or salt. Sometimes clients do alternating steam hut and cold plunge to increase circulation.
PONO – being aligned and conflict-free, excellence, moral, prosperous, just, fair, righteous. To make PONO is to realign negative thoughts and physical problems.
HO’OPONOPONO =to bring in to action the state of being Pono. This practice was and till is used to correct or clear the air in important situations where harmony is severely absent. Ho’oponopono is a powerful method to clear up misunderstandings , ideally before the sun sets each day. “Making what is right more right”. Lomi Lomi can’t provide long-term benefits without addressing the mental and emotional condition of the individual.
Medicinal herbs, ti plants, salt, stones sweat lodges, water immersion and Lomi sticks made from Guava branches are frequently used as healing tools as well.
LA’AU LAPA’AU = herbal medicaine.
MANA = the vital universal force manifest in you. You need sufficient Mana to do bodywork on another. Mana represents the vital energy of all phenomena and life, and personal power. Hawaiians get their personal Mana from Nature and the earth itself, which is very grounding. Conscious action increases your mana, Mana relies on awareness and attention.
Elements of Lomi Lomi
Fasting – fasting for four hours before a lomi session allows one to be more clear and get more out of the session.
PULE – True Lomi Lomi always begins with a PULE, or prayer, silently or verbally or as a Hawaiian chant. It is always acknowledged that the healing is in the hands of God or of the recipient’s higher self, which is connected to God.
Pule centers on the practitioner and prepares him or her to be a vehicle for loving, selfless service.
Pule also prepares the recipient to be open to the possibility of healing and to receive more subtle levels of reality and awareness.
The Hawaiians would do Pule ahead of time before the session and wait for messages from AKUA ( God , the Supreme Being ) in a dream or vision clarifying the patient’s deepest needs.
Get yourself out of your way, increase your Mana
( singing/chanting ). Fill yourself with genuine gratitude and peace. Be one with the Holy Spirit.Do not ask for anything when you pray because that pushes the desired state out of the present moment. Become mindful of the presence of spirit. Bless your client as well as yourself. You can begin simply holding a silent complimentary thought while praising a quality of your client. That begins the blessing, sending energy to another.
HAHA = assessment, diagnostic palpation. To feel as if searching for something. Done more spiritually in the past, not as analytical and objective like today.
ILI ILI PEBBLES = laid out on a mat or a piece of bark on the ground. Drawings for diagnostic purposes ( pg 122 ).
HAMO = to anoint, to caress or rub with oil. Done like a blessing by a Priest or Kahuna, a substance is applied to the skin with spiritual intention.
Complimentary Practices :
PI KAI – to sprinkle with salted water or sea water.
INU KAI – the drink salted water or seawater.
HIHI WAI – to intertwine water with oil.
HO’UPU UPU – thought implantation or suggestion.
POHAKUWELA and LA’AU LOMI – to use hot rocks and lomi
sticks.
HAHA – palpation ( see above )
HAHA I KA OPU HULI – to treat “turned stomach” and
indigestion.
PULU ‘ULO’U – steam bath.
LA’AU KAHEA – calling forth the healing.
HO-OPONOPONO – forgiveness, realignment. To be a sacred
and effective approach to bring peace,
love, health and happiness in one’s life.
PONO – see above.
The elders teach that we are born a “perfect bowl of light” and as we experience things in life “dark stones” tend to fill this bowl, blocking out the light. It is each individual’s responsibility to consciously HO’OHULI ( turn over ) their bowls, releasing the hurts and dark energies and allowing the Aloha and light of spirit greatness to shine once again.
Before you begin the session, prepare yourself and the space you are working in.
Be still and disengage from your personal affairs.
Ask for Divine assistance.
Ask that whatever needs to be restored be restored, and whatever needs to be released be released.
Visualize their perfect beings in perfect states of health and hold that vision.
Visualize the desired outcome.
Maintain unconditional Aloha.
Charge up your personal Mana before you start, and after release all your energetic ties as you bless the client and say goodbye.
Approach each section of the body with reverence, and establish trust with your touch. Lomi Lomi is truly a right-brained art, employing intuition, and the healing energies of the Aina- the land, Mother Earth.
We are each on our own journey and path and it is each person’s responsibility to heal and receive the benefits of the bodywork deeply into his or her being. As therapists we have the sacred task of being the best facilitators we can be, and the quality of our work directly reflects the state of being we have achieved and live in our lives. We bring our presence of mind and heart to our work.
Lomi Ka’ala Hoku Body Mapping and Strokes :
Both therapist and client should drink a lot of water . Water is conductive for energy, it keeps the energy flowing.
Our strokes are like water, smoothing out the mountains and raising the valleys. Our strokes are like waves, crashing and breaking on the shore as love, clearing out negative energy, and bringing love back in. The crest of the wave is the point of transformation. The bones are the mountains, the tissues are the valleys, and where they meet is the point of change.
Body Mapping: Five Familial Lines
- Between erector spinae and spine, both sides – old issues.
- Lateral to line 1 both sides, current issues.
- Medial border of the scapula – spirituality. Tight=closed, loose= open.
- Quadratus Lumborum – support issues, how you felt supported as a child.
- Shoulder – responsibility issues, left = parenting, right = financial.
Body Mapping: Spine
Sacrum = pre-birth, karma, subconscious
S-1 Joint = time of birth.
Lumbar vertebra = 0-5 years old.
Lower Thoracic Vertebra = becoming an adult.
Top of Thoracic vertebra = 30 years old, true maturity.
Base of neck – C-1 = childhood
Upper cervical = mother
Head – father, God, “what am I doing, what should I be doing
in life”?
Bilateral energy – right side is the father and left is the mother.
Feet and Hands = pre-birth, subconscious.
Ankles and Wrists = birth, ourselves.
Knees and Elbows = parents.
Hips and Shoulders = grandparents.
Energy is released through the joints of both client and therapist. Our wrists and hands flick off energy in to unconditional love and acceptance during a massage stroke. It is important to keep them loose and relaxed. Creating movement creates change.
All energy is brought back to the sacrum. Energy released from the back can be brought down to the legs, this is very grounding.
Oils – good quality unscented oils transfer energy well. Olive oil good for releasing. Kukui, fractionated coconut oil good as well. Kukui or Avocado good for the face.
Music – Usually starts off more rhythmical, and gets more lyrical as the session goes on.
Draping – draping is important for the client to feel
comfortable so they can relax
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